Guinness Open Gate Brewery Novice Chase (Grade 3)

Off time: 14:45 | Winning time: 4m 34.08s

Horantzau D'airy^t⁵²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Danny Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 142| BF

12/1

Useful chaser. Three wins from 7 runs last season. Latest win in chase at Clonmel in April. Creditable second of 6 in novice chase (13/8) at Roscommon (16.8f, good) 52 days ago.

Form: 22711-2

Reverend Hubert¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Philip Byrnes| T: C Byrnes| OR: 146

16/5

Useful chaser. 9/2, running well unseated rider in novice chase at Killarney (17f, good) 13 days ago might have been placed. Can give a good account.

Form: 133-11U

Another Choice⁵³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: J Smith| T: M J Smith

50/1

Useful chaser. 20/1, 6 lengths fourth of 7 to Reverend Hubert in novice chase at Punchestown (24.4f, good) 53 days ago. Down in trip. Others more persuasive.

Form: P48P1-4

Ashdale Bob^p⁴⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-1| J: Jack Kennedy| T: Mrs J Harrington

13/8

Smart winner at 20f over hurdles. Didn't need to improve to win 14-runner novice chase (9/2) at Kilbeggan (20.2f, good to soft) 45 days ago. Cheekpieces back on. Remains with potential on hurdles form.

Form: 35262-1

Merlin Giant²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: Donagh Meyler| T: E Mullins| C

7/1

Useful hurdler. Fairly useful winner at 13f on flat. 9/4, second of 7 in novice chase at this C&D (good) on debut over fences 2 days ago. Not discounted.

Form: 310/00-2

Popova^t1³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-8| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 125

15/2

Fairly useful winner at 20f over hurdles. 2/1, won 10-runner novice chase at Tipperary (19.4f, good to soft) on debut over fences 30 days ago, driven clear. More to come in this sphere.

Form: 13480-1

Saylavee⁵³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-8| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins

9/2

Useful winner at 19f over hurdles. Chase debut winner at Killarney in May. 7½ lengths fifth of 7 to Reverend Hubert in novice chase (16/5) at Punchestown (24.4f, good) 53 days ago. Back down in trip. Open to further improvement as a chaser.

Form: 2523-15

Forecasts

Ashdale Bob (13/8), Reverend Hubert (16/5), Saylavee (9/2), Merlin Giant (7/1), Popova (15/2), Horantzau D'airy (12/1), Another Choice (50/1)

ASHDALE BOB was a clear-cut winner on his belated return to this sphere at Kilbeggan last time and remains capable of better on hurdles form. He shades the vote over Saylavee and Popova.